Passenger Trains > Amtrak California Siemens SC-44 Charger Test Train

Last night Amtrak ran a test train with two of their new Siemens Charger SC-44 type locomotives.  They laid over in Bakersfield and will be returning to Oakland today shortly.  CDTX 2101 on the North end, 4 California cars with CDTX 2103 bringing up the rear.

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I can't say I'm the biggest fan of the new look but that's probably more because I hold everything to the standard of Alco PAs.  Hopefully they work better than they look.

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Thanks for posting the photo's.

Are they making station stops, or is this a straight through run?  Please let us know when they leave Bakersfield.

They are staring to grow on me. I think they look good.

Posted from Android

making "simulated" station stops

KM-OUT

With them making "simulated station stops", they should have running times simular to an Amtrak San Joaquin.  The train has has been reported through Wasco at 12:30.  So, playing with the northbound San Joaquin schedules, I came up with these ESTIMATED times:  Fresno - 2:03 PM, Merced - 3:08 PM, Modesto - 3:46 PM, and Stockton - 4:19 PM.  Not knowing how these "simulated" stops are going to be played out, I would be at the stations that I have listed at least half and hour prior to the times that I have shown.

jkchubbes Wrote:
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> I can't say I'm the biggest fan of the new look
> but that's probably more because I hold everything
> to the standard of Alco PAs.  Hopefully they work
> better than they look.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Not digging the goofy wave at the back

So does anyone know the crash worthiness of these new locomotives? I haven't found any information on the Siemens site.

Well, my calculations were almost an hour and three-quarters off!!!   Departed Modesto at 5:33 PM after a 20-second station stop!

The Siemens "Charger" test train arrives in Modesto.  I don't know what kind of tests they conducted, but the train's running time from Bakersfield to Modesto was 1 hour 47 minutes longer than a normal Amtrak San Joaquin schedule.

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That thing is repulsive, not do I like the cab layout and height above the rails.

The taxpayers just got stung for $6 Miilon a copy.  Heck of a deal, not.
 

Metrolink paid $7 mil for a EMD F125 !  and have yet to run after first deliver 8 months ago !

As railfan since 1940 I think they look fine. If you don't adapt you get left behind. I still like the old stuff, too!
By the way, does the position of the line at the rear of the unit presage a new paint scheme for the cars?

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

Hey it could be worse, Mater comes to mind.

KV1guy Wrote:
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> That thing is repulsive, not do I like the cab
> layout and height above the rails.

Are we in Europe?  Thing looks like a Euro-Loco, gonna have to repaint the Cal Cars now to match the Charger!

It will be hard to match the cali cars with the new locomotives, the fluting is right where the swoop ends.

Posted from Android

> So does anyone know the crash worthiness of these
> new locomotives? I haven't found any information
> on the Siemens site.

"The Siemens Charger diesel-electric locomotive is designed to fully comply with all U.S. federal standards and regulations.
The monocoque carbody structure on this locomotive is reinforced to fulfill the specified 800,000 lbs buff strength
while offering full-width anti-climber-engagement and push-back couplers that are part of the locomotive’s integrated
Crash Energy Management System, offering enhanced safety to its occupants."

https://w3.usa.siemens.com/mobility/us/en/interurban-mobility/rail-solutions/high-speed-and-intercity-trains/Documents/Charger%20DE_Locomotive_DataSheet_LR.pdf

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/17 01:04 by Notch16.